88-89 Tailgate straps

[jess t]

Looking for a nice set, (metal folding kind, not the cables) PM me if you have some for sale. TIA Jess in Ky

 

[someotherguy]

If you're retrofitting a newer model that has the cables, be sure to get the bolts where they attach, too. They're different for the folding straps vs. the cable setup.

Richard

 

[jess t]

Anyone know of a set anywhere?

 

[kennythewelder]

Gmt 400s didn't come with metal straps, only cables. You may be able to swap in a set from a square body truck, 1973-1987. These days though, some people are swapping in a set of gas struts, like newer trucks have.

 

[89RCLB]

Gmt 400s didn't come with metal straps, only cables. You may be able to swap in a set from a square body truck, 1973-1987. These days though, some people are swapping in a set of gas struts, like newer trucks have.

I have metal straps on all three of my '89 GMT400 trucks.
Edit: If I'm not mistaken the 88 to 94 trucks came from the factory with metal straps.

 

[618 Syndicate]

Gmt 400s didn't come with metal straps, only cables. You may be able to swap in a set from a square body truck, 1973-1987. These days though, some people are swapping in a set of gas struts, like newer trucks have.

Early 400's had metal straps.

 

[BNielsen]

Best bet for trying to find some is your local pull-a-part or junkyard. That's where I found mine

 

[618 Syndicate]

I bought a used repop tailgate and it had metal straps. Had to grind the holes a bit to get them to fit the cable style bolts, but they work.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Gmt 400s didn't come with metal straps, only cables. You may be able to swap in a set from a square body truck, 1973-1987. These days though, some people are swapping in a set of gas struts, like newer trucks have.

I have a stepside bed with the straps for a gmt 400, They carried over the late square body tailgate engineering for the hinge/straps/removeable part i believe till they went to the cables.

 

[someotherguy]

Gmt 400s didn't come with metal straps, only cables. You may be able to swap in a set from a square body truck, 1973-1987. These days though, some people are swapping in a set of gas struts, like newer trucks have.

The straps are actually a design that dates back to the 67-72 trucks, redesigned in 76 I think? but they carried through into the first few years of GMT400's. I know I've had them on a number of 88's and 89's in the yard, and according to Classic Industries, they were used up to '91. I didn't know they used them that long!

You can see them, just barely, on the very last one of the tailgates in this stack - these were take-offs from a place that had installed liftgates on their shop trucks, and stored the brand-new tailgates. All four are GMT400. Three are cable style.. the last one has straps.

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It would coincidentally be the tailgate from this truck, an '88 from the same place, an engine rebuilding shop I bought out a bunch of fixtures, shelving, etc. and of course this truck and those tailgates.

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OP - you can get them brand new for $14 a side. They're reproduction, so I don't know how the quality is, but one would hope new would be better than 30+ year old tailgate parts. Part #'s T70506 and T70507 pretty sure this is what you're looking for. You're still gonna need the special bolts/studs for them and I don't know if Classic carries those.

Richard